A single photo sparked a special family tradition that involves elaborate Disney-themed photo shoots of 7-year-old Layla Courts.
“We took her first princess photo when she was 5, and have made it a custom to do a session every month,” wrote mom Camillia Courts, who takes all of the photos except the few she’s in. “This is such a special way to document her growing up, and a fun way to spend time with my daughter.”
The creative mom-and-daughter team lives in British Columbia, Canada.
Courts snapped a picture in 2014, when Layla snagged a coveted Elsa dress from Disneyland’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and posted it on Facebook “while it was still in pristine condition,” she told Buzzfeed.
“The whole project has been about having fun and making memories,” Courts said. “I hope she will look back on this and remember it as fondly as I do.”
Friends and family loved the photo, so Courts launched an Instagram account and the team got to work on recreating their favorite Disney fantasies. Since the original photo, they’ve put together 25 photo shoots, a few of which feature mom alongside Layla. Courts said the project has helped her “very shy” daughter.
“She doesn’t like a lot of attention, but she lights up when she puts a costume on,” Courts said. “She becomes more chatty, she explodes with ideas, she twirls, and enjoys being dressed up. She secretly likes the attention from her classmates. She has fun, and that’s the whole reason we continue this project.”
Courts isn’t sure how much she has spent over the years on the various costumes, wigs and accessories, but she said the team has gotten more budget-conscious and started repurposing dresses and materials.
Any Disney fan will swoon over the epic images. But for Courts, it’s all about Layla.
“It’s been a wonderful way to spend some really unique, quality time together!” Courts said. “I like when she comes up with an idea and we plan the session and make the costumes together.”
Since kids’ interests can change in a day, Courts isn’t sure how long she and Layla will keep recreating Disney’s incredible female characters.
“We will continue to take these photos until she says otherwise,” she said. “But I secretly hope she will want to still dress up when she’s in her teens.”
